Hover over Romans 1:20-22 for proof of God's existence, and over Matthew 5:27-28 for Judgment Day’s perfect standard. Then hover over John 3:16-18 for what God did, and over Acts 17:30-31 for what to do.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

“I know that we are to fear God because of His just punishment, but can you please tell me the reference to where the Bible says God is actually our enemy? Jesus actually said to his disciples that he was their "friend." Also, if your claim from the Bible is that, "our sins have made a separation between God and us so that He won't even hear our prayers" is true, then where does the logic play in that we are supposed to pray and ask for forgiveness from those sins? I can find no reference to God not hearing our prayers, but to the contrary.”

<< I know that we are to fear God because of His just punishment, but can you please tell me the reference to where the Bible says God is actually our enemy? >>

Colossians 1:20-22 says, "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight..." ( italics added). The carnal mind is at enmity (in a state of hostility) against God... (see Romans 8:7). The unregenerate mind spits out blasphemy, unbelief and rebellion at God and His moral Law.

<< Jesus actually said to his disciples that he was their "friend." >>

Jesus said, “You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14, italics added). You forgot the second part of the verse. We are enemies of God as long as we are friends with this sinful world (see James 4:4, 5).

<< I can find no reference to God not hearing our prayers, but to the contrary. Since we are born sinners and have to grow in our relationship to God through Christ, if He is not listening to our prayers from the beginning, then how can He forgive the sins that separate us from Him? >>

Here are two verses (there are others):

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." (Psalm 66:18).

"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2, italics added).

If we remain in rebellion to God, clinging to sin, He will take no notice of our prayers (obviously He is omniscient and "hears" all things). The Scriptures tell us that He “resists” the proud and gives grace to the humble. That’s why a proud person can think that there is no God. He believes that his prayers didn’t make it above the ceiling. And he is right. He needs to approach God in humility of heart. That way He will listen.

Look at Isaiah 66:2: “For all those things has my hand made, and all those things have been, says the Lord; but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.” God takes notice of the humble prayer. He forgives sin and reveals Himself (in salvation), only when there is repentance and faith in Jesus.